Damper structure of adsorption type refrigerator

ABSTRACT

A damper structure is configured to open and close evaporator-side communication paths and the condenser-side communication paths respectively formed between adsorbing/desorbing devices and an evaporator and a condenser in an adsorption type refrigerator. There are spherical dampers in the communication paths respectively rollably placed therein. A ring-shape seal member having an inner circumference that can be sealed by the spherical damper is provided on a tilting lower end side of each of the communication paths in a path formation direction. A stopper for preventing the spherical damper from falling out of the communication path is provided on a tilting upper end side of each of the communication paths in the path formation direction.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a damper structure used in anadsorption type refrigerator configured to open and close communicationpaths which communicate a plurality of adsorbing/desorbing devices withan evaporator and a condenser.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In an adsorption type refrigerator, heat transfer pipes are insertedthrough two adsorbing/desorbing devices and a solid adsorbent, such assilica gel, is applied to surfaces of the heat transfer pipes in theadsorbing/desorbing devices. The evaporator and the condenser canindividually communicate with the respective adsorbing/desorbing devicesby opening and closing a damper. The adsorbing/desorbing devices, theevaporator, and the condenser are vacuumized and a refrigerant can becirculated through these devices. While the adsorption type refrigeratoris operating, the adsorbing/desorbing device functioning as an adsorbingdevice by circulating cooling water in the heat transfer pipe and theadsorbing/desorbing device functioning as a desorbing device bycirculating warm water in the heat transfer pipe are switchably used inturn at given time intervals.

An example of the damper structure for opening and closing thecommunication paths may be formed as a plurality of valves used in thetemperature control method for adsorption type refrigerator disclosed inPatent document 1. Those valves are opened and closed by leveragingpressure differences generated between adsorbing/desorbing devices andan evaporator or a condenser. The respective valves are each configuredto unidirectionally circulate refrigerant vapor. More specifically, thevalves provided in communication paths between the adsorbing/desorbingdevices and the evaporator allow the refrigerant vapor to be circulatedfrom the evaporator to the adsorbing/desorbing devices, while inhibitingthe refrigerant vapor to flow back from the adsorbing/desorbing devicesto the evaporator. The valves provided in communication paths betweenthe adsorbing/desorbing devices and the condenser allow the refrigerantvapor to be circulated from the adsorbing/desorbing devices to thecondenser, while inhibiting the refrigerant vapor to flow back from thecondenser to the adsorbing/desorbing devices.

For the fluid valve disclosed in Patent document 2, a valve member usedas a damper is formed in a shell-like shape having a curved surface, anda communication port where the valve member is provided is formed in aconical tapered shape. The outer-peripheral curved surface of the valvemember abuts on a surface of the conical tapered communication portunder a refrigerant dynamic pressure generated in a direction betweenspaces defined by the valve member, thereby closing the communicationport. The closed communication port is opened upon uprising of the valvemember from the communication port under a refrigerant dynamic pressuregenerated in the other direction between the spaces. A valve guide isprovided to prevent any displacement of the valve member that may becaused by the refrigerant dynamic pressures travelling through thespaces.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT Patent Document

-   Patent Document 1: JP-A No. 64-58966-   Patent Document 2: JP-A No. 2002-257250

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

In the adsorption type refrigerators, pressure differences between theadsorbing/desorbing devices and the evaporator and the condenser arerather small. It is an option to use a damper that is light enough to beopened and closed byway of such small pressure differences. However, thedamper opened and closed as often as tens of thousands of times a yearshould not be reduced in weight, otherwise, its durability would beundermined.

According to Patent documents 1 and 2 in which the valve or the valvemember used as the damper is formed in container-like shape, thesedampers increase their own weights as condensed water is increasinglyaccumulated in the container-like portions, and these dampers arepossibly no longer opened or closed by such small pressure differences.As a result, there may cause the risk of failing to normally operate.

The present invention was made to solve these conventional technicalproblems. The present invention provides a damper structure of anadsorption type refrigerator, in which a damper is reduced in weight andimproved in durability, and the damper is configured to stably open andclose communication paths by leveraging pressure differences suitablygenerated between adsorbing/desorbing devices and the evaporator and thecondenser.

Means for Solving Problems

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided adamper structure for an adsorption type refrigerator which is providedwith a plurality of adsorbing/desorbing devices each having a heattransfer pipe inserted therethrough, a surface of which is applied witha solid adsorbent, an evaporator configured to communicate with theplurality of adsorbing/desorbing devices individually, and a condenserconfigured to communicate with the plurality of adsorbing/desorbingdevices individually, and is operated by switching between theadsorbing/desorbing device functioning as an adsorbing device bycirculating a cooling water in the heat transfer pipe and theadsorbing/desorbing device functioning as a desorbing device bycirculating a warm water in the heat transfer pipe at given timeintervals. The damper structure is provided with evaporator-sidecommunication paths formed between the adsorbing/desorbing devices andthe evaporator with a tilt, having a side communicating with theevaporator lower than a side communicating with the adsorbing/desorbingdevices, and the condenser-side communication paths formed between theadsorbing/desorbing devices and the condenser with a tilt, having a sidecommunicating with the condenser higher than a side communicating withthe adsorbing/desorbing devices, a spherical damper movably placed ineach of the communication paths as the evaporator-side communicationpath and the condenser-side communication path, a ring-shape seal memberprovided on a tilting lower end side of the communication path in a pathformation direction, which has an inner circumference sealed by thespherical damper, and a stopper provided on a tilting upper end side ofthe communication path in the path formation direction, which preventsthe spherical damper from falling out of the communication path.

Effect of the Invention

According to the damper structure of the adsorption type refrigerator,the evaporator-side communication paths and the condenser-sidecommunication paths are respectively formed with tilts and provided withthe spherical dampers movably set therein. The ring-shape seal membersand the stoppers are respectively provided on the tilting lower endsides and the tilting upper end sides of the respective communicationpaths in the path formation direction.

The adsorbing/desorbing devices, the evaporator, and the condenser ofthe adsorption type refrigerator are vacuumized, and refrigerant vaporcan be circulated through these devices via the communication paths.

Movement of the spherical dampers in the communication paths will bedescribed below.

The solid adsorbent is cooled down by the heat transfer pipe in theadsorbing/desorbing device functioning as an adsorbing device bysupplying the cooling water in the heat transfer pipe, and therefrigerant vapor is adsorbed to the solid adsorbent by adsorptionreaction (exothermal reaction). Then, an internal pressure of theadsorbing device reduces to a pressure level lower than internalpressures of the evaporator and the condenser.

In the adsorbing device, the spherical damper placed in theevaporator-side communication path is subjected to a pressure differenceresulting from the internal pressure of the adsorbing device lower thanthe internal pressure of the evaporator, and disengages itself from thering-shape seal member, and then further moves to the tiling upper endside of the evaporator-side communication path (moves away from theevaporator toward the adsorbing device). As a result, theevaporator-side communication path is opened.

In the adsorbing device, the spherical damper placed in thecondenser-side communication path, under its own weight and a pressuredifference resulting from the internal pressure of the adsorbing devicelower than the internal pressure of the condenser, moves to the tilinglower end side of the condenser-side communication path (moves away fromthe condenser toward the adsorbing device). As a result, the sphericaldamper keeps rolling to finally seal the inner circumference of thering-shape seal member, thus closing the condenser-side communicationpath. The closed state of the communication path can be retained by thepressure difference resulting from the internal pressure of thedesorbing device lower than the internal pressure of the condenser.

In this way, the spherical dampers can open the evaporator-sidecommunication paths communicating between the adsorbing device and theevaporator, and close the condenser-side communication pathscommunicating between the condenser and the adsorbing device.

In the adsorbing/desorbing device functioning as a desorbing device bysupplying the warm water in the heat transfer pipe, the solid adsorbentis heated by the heat transfer pipe, and the refrigerant vapor isdesorbed from the solid adsorbent by desorption reaction (endoergicreaction). Then, an internal pressure of the desorbing device rises to apressure level higher than internal pressures of the evaporator and thecondenser.

In the desorbing device, the spherical damper placed in thecondenser-side communication path is subjected to a pressure differenceresulting from the increased internal pressure of the desorbing devicehigher than the internal pressure of the condenser, and disengagesitself from the ring-shape seal member. It then moves to the tilingupper end side of the condenser-side communication path (moves away fromthe desorbing device toward the condenser). As a result, thecondenser-side communication path is opened.

In the desorbing device, the spherical damper provided in theevaporator-side communication path moves under its own weight to thetiling lower end side of the evaporator-side communication path (movesaway from the desorbing device toward the evaporator). As a result, thespherical damper keeps rolling to finally seal the inner circumferenceof the ring-shape seal member, thus closing the evaporator-sidecommunication path. The closed state of the communication path can beretained by the pressure difference resulting from the internal pressureof the desorbing device higher than the internal pressure of theevaporator.

In this way, in the desorbing device, the spherical dampers can open theevaporator-side communication path communicating between the condenserand the desorbing device, and close the condenser-side communicationpath communicating between the evaporator and the desorbing device.

When the adsorbing/desorbing device currently functioning as thedesorbing device is switched to the adsorbing device, the currently highinternal pressure of the adsorbing/desorbing device changes to alow-pressure level. When the adsorbing/desorbing device currentlyfunctioning as the adsorbing device is switched to function as thedesorbing device, the currently low internal pressure of theadsorbing/desorbing device changes to a high-pressure level. Thespherical dampers placed in the respective communication paths arethought to move while rolling in the process of those pressure changesin most of the case. Depending on the speed of change in the pressuredifference exerted to the spherical damper and self-weight, there may bethe case that the spherical damper 6 slidably moves.

The spherical damper is thought to move mostly while rolling under itsown weight from the tilting upper end side to the tilting lower end sidethrough the internal pressure variability of the adsorbing/desorbingdevices when the adsorbing/desorbing device is switched to and from theadsorbing device and the desorbing device in turn.

Because of the stopper provided on the tilting upper end side of eachcommunication path, the spherical damper moving to the tilting upper endside under the pressure difference is prevented from falling out of thecommunication path.

As described above, the spherical dampers can open the communicationpaths leveraging the pressure differences generated between theadsorbing/desorbing device functioning as the adsorbing device and theevaporator, and between the adsorbing/desorbing device functioning asthe desorbing device and the condenser. Further, the spherical damperscan close the communication paths under their own weights. Therefore, itis unnecessary to separately provide any drive source to drive thespherical dampers.

The dampers formed in such a simple spherical shape can be easilyproduced and reduced in weight.

The spherical damper is thought to move through the communication pathwhile swinging and sliding under the impact from the circulatingrefrigerant vapor because of its spherical shape. Therefore, thespherical damper can suitably change its direction when sealing thering-shape seal member. This directional flexibility can prevent acertain part of the spherical damper from being repeatedly in contactwith the ring-shape seal member and worn out, thus improving durabilityof the spherical damper.

Because of the spherical shape of the damper, it is very unlikely thatthe refrigerant vapor accumulates thereon to increase the weight of thedamper. Therefore, the pressure differences between theadsorbing/desorbing devices and the evaporator and the condenser can bekept at appropriate levels, and the communication paths can be reliablyopened and closed by the spherical dampers. The pressure differenceswhich induce the movements of the spherical dampers can be arbitrarilyadjusted by changing the masses of the spherical dampers or the tilingangles of the communication paths.

According to the damper structure of the adsorption type refrigerator,the dampers can be reduced in weight and improved in durability, and thecommunication paths can be stably opened and closed by leveraging thepressure differences suitably generated between the adsorbing/desorbingdevices and the evaporator and the condenser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an adsorption type refrigeratoraccording to an embodiment where a first adsorbing/desorbing devicefunctions as an adsorbing device and a second adsorbing/desorbing devicefunctions as a desorbing device to operate the refrigerator.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the adsorption type refrigeratoraccording to the embodiment where the first adsorbing/desorbing devicefunctions as the desorbing device and the second adsorbing/desorbingdevice functions as the adsorbing device to operate the refrigerator.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of structural characteristics on andaround adsorbing/desorbing devices and communication paths in ahorizontal adsorption type refrigerator according to the embodimentwherein the first adsorbing/desorbing device functions as the adsorbingdevice and the second adsorbing/desorbing device functions as thedesorbing device to operate the refrigerator.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of structural characteristics on andaround the adsorbing/desorbing devices and the communication paths inthe horizontal adsorption type refrigerator according to the embodimentwherein the first adsorbing/desorbing device functions as the desorbingdevice and the second adsorbing/desorbing device functions as theadsorbing device to operate the refrigerator.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a communication path according to theembodiment where a spherical damper is placed.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view cut along A-A line of FIG. 5, illustrating acommunication path according to the embodiment where the sphericaldamper is omitted.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of structural characteristics on andaround adsorbing/desorbing devices and evaporator-side communicationpaths in a vertical adsorption type refrigerator according to theembodiment wherein the first adsorbing/desorbing device functions as theadsorbing device and the second adsorbing/desorbing device functions asthe desorbing device to operate the refrigerator.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of structural characteristics on andaround the adsorbing/desorbing devices and the condenser-sidecommunication paths in the vertical adsorption type refrigeratoraccording to the embodiment, in which the first adsorbing/desorbingdevice functions as the desorbing device and the secondadsorbing/desorbing device functions as the adsorbing device to operatethe refrigerator.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A preferred mode of a damper structure of an adsorption typerefrigerator is described referring to the accompanied drawings.

In the evaporator-side communication path, when the internal pressure ofthe adsorbing/desorbing device functioning as the adsorbing devicebecomes lower than the internal pressure of the evaporator, preferably,the spherical damper moves to the tilting upper end side to open theevaporator-side communication path, and when the internal pressure ofthe adsorbing/desorbing device becomes higher than the internal pressureof the condenser, the spherical damper moves to the tilting lower endside under its own weight to close the evaporator-side communicationpath. In the condenser-side communication path, when the internalpressure of the adsorbing/desorbing device functioning as the desorbingdevice becomes higher than the internal pressure of the condenser,preferably, the spherical damper moves to the tilting upper end side toopen the condenser-side communication path, and when the internalpressure of the adsorbing/desorbing device becomes lower than theinternal pressure of the condenser, the spherical damper moves under itsown weight to the tilting lower end side to close the condenser-sidecommunication path.

In this case, the respective spherical dampers can be easily moved inthe communication paths by the pressure differences or under their ownweights applied to tilting surfaces of the communication paths.

Preferably, the spherical damper is made from a resin, and thering-shape seal member is a rubber packing material.

Accordingly, the spherical damper can be easily reduced in weight, andthe ring-shape seal member can be inexpensively formed.

The spherical damper, depending on its size and own weight variable froma material, may be a solid-core damper having inside filled with resinor a shell-like damper having a hollow part therein.

Preferably, the tilting lower end side of the communication path isprovided with a stopper for preventing the spherical damper fromimmovably fitting in the ring-shape seal member.

The spherical damper may accidentally fit in the ring-shape seal memberwhen moving to the tilting lower end side by the pressure differencesbetween the adsorbing/desorbing devices, and the evaporator and thecondenser to seal the inner circumference of the ring-shape seal member.The fit-in preventing stopper can prevent such an undesirable event asfitting in the ring-shape seal member.

EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the damper structure of the adsorptiontype refrigerator is described referring to the accompanied drawings.

A damper structure 5 according to the embodiment is configured to openand close communication paths 51A and 51B respectively formed betweenadsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B, and an evaporator 31 and acondenser 32 in an adsorption type refrigerator 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the adsorption type refrigerator 1 has aplurality of adsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B each having a heattransfer pipe 21 inserted therethrough, a surface of which is appliedwith a solid adsorbent 211, an evaporator 31 configured to communicatewith the plurality of adsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2Bindividually, and a condenser 32 configured to communicate with theplurality of adsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B individually. Theadsorbing/desorbing device 2A (or 2B) functioning as an adsorbing deviceX1 by circulating a cooling water C in the heat transfer pipe 21 and theadsorbing/desorbing device 2B (or 2A) functioning as a desorbing deviceX2 by circulating a warm water H in the heat transfer pipe 21 isswitchably used in turn at given time intervals to operate theadsorption type refrigerator 1.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the evaporator-side communication paths51A between the adsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B, and theevaporator 31 are tilted so that a side thereof communicating with theevaporator 31 is lower than a side thereof communicating with theadsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B, and the condenser-sidecommunication paths 51B between the adsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and2B and the condenser 32 are each tilted so that a side thereofcommunicating with the condenser 32 is higher than a side thereofcommunicating with the adsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B.

The communication paths 51A and 51B as the evaporator-side communicationpath 51A or the condenser-side communication path 51B, have sphericaldampers 6 respectively placed and allowed to roll therein. A ring-shapeseal member 55 having an inner circumference that can be sealed by thespherical damper 6 is provided on a tilting lower end side of each ofthe communication paths 51A and 51B in a path formation direction L. Astopper 56 for preventing the spherical damper 6 from falling out of thecommunication path 51A or 51B is provided on a tilting upper end side ofeach of the communication paths 51A and 51B in the path formationdirection L.

The damper structure 5 of the adsorption type refrigerator 1 accordingto the embodiment is described in detail referring to FIGS. 1 to 8.

First, the adsorption type refrigerator 1 which employs the damperstructure 5 will be described.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the adsorption type refrigerator 1operated by allowing the first adsorbing/desorbing device 2A to functionas the adsorbing device X1 and the second adsorbing/desorbing device 2Bto function as the desorbing device X2. FIG. 2 is a schematicillustration of the adsorption type refrigerator 1 operated by allowingthe first adsorbing/desorbing device 2A to function as the desorbingdevice X2 and the second adsorbing/desorbing device 2B to function asthe adsorbing device X1 to operate the refrigerator. In the drawings,the communication paths 51A and 51B and the spherical dampers 6 areschematically illustrated.

Referring to the drawings, the adsorption type refrigerator 1 accordingto the embodiment has the two adsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B eachhaving a heat transfer pipe 21 inserted therethrough, a surface of whichis applied with a solid adsorbent 211, the evaporator 31 configured tocommunicate with the two adsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2Bindividually, and the condenser 32 configured to communicate with thetwo adsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B individually.

A refrigerant A can be circulated through the adsorbing/desorbingdevices 2A and 2B, evaporator 31, and the condenser 32. The internalspaces of the adsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B, evaporator 31, andthe condenser 32 are in a vacuum state to readily allow evaporation ofthe refrigerant A. The evaporator 31 has an internal pressure equal toabout 1/100 of atmospheric pressure, and the condenser 32 has aninternal pressure equal to about 1/20 of atmospheric pressure. Accordingto the embodiment, the solid adsorbent 211 is silica gel, and therefrigerant A is water.

The evaporator 31 is provided adjacent to one sides of the twoadsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B, and the condenser 32 is providedadjacent to the other sides of the two adsorbing/desorbing devices 2Aand 2B.

The spherical dampers 6 placed in the evaporator-side communicationpaths 51A between the adsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B, and theevaporator 31 close the evaporator-side communication paths 51A undertheir own weights to inhibit communication between theadsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B and the evaporator 31. Thesespherical dampers 6 are configured to open only when the internalpressures of the adsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B are lower thanthe internal pressure of the evaporator 31. The spherical dampers 6placed in the condenser-side communication paths 51B between theadsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B and the condenser 32 close thecondenser-side communication paths 51B under their own weights toinhibit communication between the adsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2Band the condenser 32. These spherical dampers 6 are configured to openonly when the internal pressures of the adsorbing/desorbing devices 2Aand 2B are higher than the internal pressure of the condenser 32.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the heat transfer pipes 21 of theadsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B are piped to reach two selectorvalve devices 46A and 46B.

The evaporator 31 has an evaporator pipe 311 inserted therethrough as apassage of a cold water W. The evaporator pipe 311 is connected to acold water tank 44. The evaporator pipe 311 is connected to arefrigerating device 45 to which the cold water W is supplied andchilled. The refrigerating device 45 may be formed as an airconditioning system or a refrigerator, for example. The evaporator pipe311 is piped through the evaporator 31, cold water tank 44, andrefrigerating device 45.

The condenser 32 has a condenser pipe 321 inserted therethrough as apassage of the cooling water C. The condenser pipe 321 is connected to acooling water tank 41. The cooling water C from the cooling water tank41 is supplied to the condenser pipe 321 by way of the selector valvedevice 46A, heat transfer pipes 21 of the adsorbing/desorbing devices 2Aand 2B, and a selector valve device 46B, and then returns to the coolingwater tank 41 from the condenser pipe 321.

The condenser 32 has a tray 35 for receiving the refrigerant A (wateraccording to the embodiment) condensed and liquefied by the condenserpipe 321. A circulation pipe 36 is provided between the tray 35 and theevaporator 31 to feed the refrigerant A accumulated in the tray 35 to asurface of the evaporator pipe 311 in the evaporator 31.

The warm water H supplied to the heat transfer pipes 21 of theadsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B is heated by exhaust heatdischarged from a heat generator 42 that generates heat. For example, asolar energy assisted system, a gas engine system, a boiler, or a deviceconfigured to discharge vapor drain may be employed as the heatgenerator 42. The warm water H is obtained by the use of exhaust heatdischarged from the heat generator 42 and stored in a warm water tank43, and then supplied to inlets of the heat transfer pipe 21 of theadsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B by way of the selector valvedevice 46A. The warm water H is further circulated from outlets of theheat transfer pipe 21 of the adsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B tothe heat generator 42 by way of the selector valve device 46B.

The cooling water C is water at a temperature ranging from 25° C. to 35°C. (about 30° C.), and the warm water H is water heated to 70° C. to 90°C. (about 80° C.). The cold water W in the evaporator pipe 311 of theevaporator 31 is cooled down to 9 to 14° C. (about 11° C.).

The adsorption type refrigerator 1 is configured to be operated byswitching between the adsorbing/desorbing device 2A (or 2B) functioningas the adsorbing device X1 by circulating the cooling water C in theheat transfer pipe 21 and the adsorbing/desorbing device 2B (or 2A)functioning as the desorbing device X2 by circulating the warm water Hin the heat transfer pipe 21 using the two selector valve devices 46Aand 46B at given time intervals to cool down the cold water W in theevaporator pipe 311 inserted in the evaporator 31. This allows theadsorption type refrigerator 1 to continuously feed the produced coldwater W from the cold water tank 44 to the refrigerating device 45.

According to the embodiment, a recovery step of avoiding mixture of thecooling water C and the warm water H is conducted between steps ofadsorbing and desorbing a refrigerant vapor A to and from the solidadsorbent 211 repeatedly performed at given time intervals.

Next, the damper structure 5 is described in detail.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the communication path 51A or 51B where thespherical damper 6 is placed. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along A-Aline of FIG. 5, illustrating the communication path 51A or 51B where thespherical damper 6 is omitted.

According to the embodiment, the spherical damper 6 made from a resin,such as polypropylene, is a solid-core damper having inside filled withthe resin. The mass of the spherical damper 6 can be suitably adjustedby selecting a suitable material or suitably changing absolutedimensions of the ring-shape seal members 55 and the spherical damper 6.

The tilting upper end side and the tiling lower end side respectivelyrepresent those of the communication path 51A or 51B in the pathformation direction L. An upper surface side and a lower surface siderespectively represent those of the communication path 51A or 51B in avertical direction. In FIG. 5, the tilting upper end side is illustratedwith an arrow L1, and the tilting lower end side is illustrated with anarrow L2.

In the communication paths 51A and 51B according to the embodiment, thesection area at the end of the path on the tilting lower end side issmaller than the section area at any other part of the path includingthe tilting upper end side. A stepped portion 52 is formed at the endpart of the communication path 51A or 51B on the tilting lower end side,and an annular groove 521 for holding the ring-shape seal member 55 isformed at the end part of the stepped portion 52 on the tilting upperend side.

The ring-shape seal member 55 according to the embodiment is a rubberpacking material.

The section area dimensions of the communication path 51A or 51B islarger than a diameter of the spherical damper 6. When the sphericaldamper 6 rolls in the communication path 51A or 51B, a clearance 53 isformed at the upper side of the communication path 51A or 51B.

The ring-shape seal member 55 is eccentrically placed on the lowersurface side of the stepped portion 52 of the communication path 51A or51B. The ring-shape seal member 55 is formed so that the sphericaldamper 6 rolling on a bottom part 511 of the communication path 51A or51B from the tilting upper end side to the tilting lower end side abutson a whole inner circumference of the ring-shape seal member 55.

When the spherical damper 6 is rolling to the tilting upper end side,the refrigerant vapor A is conveyed from the tilting lower end side tothe tilting upper end side through the clearance 53 formed between thespherical damper 6 and the communication path 51A or 51B. The sphericaldamper 6 moving from the tilting lower end side to the tilting upper endside is thought to move while rolling in most of cases because therefrigerant vapor A flows into the clearance 53 formed at the uppersurface side of the communication path 51A or 51B.

A relative size of the ring-shape seal member 55 with respect to thespherical damper 6 may be determined such that an inner circumferentialdiameter of the ring-shape seal member 55 is at least 0.5 times to lessthan 0.8 times as large as the diameter of the spherical damper 6.

The stopper 56 according to the embodiment is provided laterally acrossthe end part of the communication path 51A or 51B on the tilting upperend side. The stopper 56 may be formed in a ring shape and provided sothat an upper end side of the stopper 56 is suspended in a space of thecommunication path 51A or 51B. Unlike the ring-shape seal member 55, thestopper 56 may be formed in various shapes as far as rolling of thespherical damper 6 is stopped while keeping the communication path 51Aor 51B opened.

When a tilting angle θ of the communication path 51A or 51B is set to amoderate angle, the spherical damper 6 pushed by the pressure of therefrigerant vapor A is allowed to roll to the tilting upper end side ofthe communication path 51A or 51B more easily. If the tilting angle θ ofthe communication path 51A or 51B is unnecessarily small, there maycause the risk of destabilizing the position of the spherical damper 6in the communication path 51A or 51B under the pressure of therefrigerant vapor A. On the contrary, if the tilting angle θ of thecommunication path 51A or 51B is made steep, an adverse effect mayoccur.

When the mass of the spherical damper 6 is reduced, the spherical damper6 pushed by the pressure of the refrigerant vapor A is allowed to rollto the tilting upper end side of the communication path 51A or 51B moreeasily. If the mass of the spherical damper 6 is too small, there maycause the risk of destabilizing the position of the spherical damper 6in the communication path 51A or 51B under the pressure of therefrigerant vapor A. On the contrary, if the mass the spherical damper 6is made large, the adverse effect may occur.

If the tilting angle θ of the communication path 51A or 51B is made toosteep or the mass of the spherical damper 6 is made too large, the forcethat brings the spherical damper 6 in abutment on the ring-shape sealmember 55 is intensified. The resultant pressure difference generatedbetween the adsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B, and the evaporator 31and the condenser 32 may cause the risk of hindering the sphericaldamper 6 from opening the inner circumference of the ring-shape sealmember 55.

In consideration of these unfavorable events that may occur, thepressure differences generated between the adsorbing/desorbing devices2A and 2B, and the evaporator 31 and the condenser 32 are also takeninto account to determine appropriate values of the tilting angle θ ofthe communication path 51A or 51B and the mass of the spherical damper6.

The tilting angle θ of the communication path 51A or 51B may be set tobe in the range from 1° to 15° relative to a horizontal direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the tilting lower end side of thecommunication path 51A or 51B may be provided with a fit-in preventingstopper 57 for preventing the spherical damper 6 from immovably fittingin the ring-shape seal member 55. The fit-in preventing stopper 57 canprevent the spherical damper 6 from immovably fitting in the ring-shapeseal member 55 when rolling to the tiling lower end side to seal theinner circumference of the ring-shape seal member 55 under the pressuredifferences between the adsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B, and theevaporator 31 and the condenser 32.

The damper structure 5 which includes the communication paths 51A and51B having the spherical dampers 6 placed therein may be applied to avariety of adsorption type refrigerators 1.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the adsorption type refrigerator 1according to the embodiment may be provided as a horizontal adsorptiontype refrigerator 1 wherein the first and second adsorbing/desorbingdevices 2A and 2B are arranged to face with each other so as to behorizontally directed. The first and second adsorbing/desorbing devices2A and 2B are arranged while slightly tilting with respect to thehorizontal direction.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the horizontal adsorption typerefrigerator 1 operated in the state where the first adsorbing/desorbingdevice 2A functions as the adsorbing device X1 and the secondadsorbing/desorbing device 2B functions as the desorbing device X2,focusing on the adsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B and thecommunication paths 51A and 51B, and the region therearound. FIG. 4 is aschematic illustration of the horizontal adsorption type refrigerator 1operated in the state where the first adsorbing/desorbing device 2Afunctions as the desorbing device X2 and the second adsorbing/desorbingdevice 2B functions as the adsorbing device X1, focusing on theadsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B and the communication paths 51Aand 51B, and the region therearound.

The horizontal adsorption type refrigerator 1 is structured so that anevaporator-side communication path formation member 58A for piping tothe evaporator 31 is provided on the tilting lower end sides of thefirst and second adsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B in the horizontaldirection, and a condenser-side communication path formation member 58Bfor piping to the condenser 32 is provided on the tilting upper endsides of the first and second adsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B inthe horizontal direction.

The evaporator 31 and the condenser 32 are respectively provided belowthe communication path formation members 58A and 58B. Theevaporator-side communication paths 51A are disposed so as to have thosesides communicating with the evaporator 31 tilted downward relative tothe adsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B at the same angle as thetilting angle of the adsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B. Thecondenser-side communication paths 51B are disposed so as to have thosesides communicating with the evaporator tilted upward relative to theadsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B at the same angle as the tiltingangle of the adsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B. The communicationpaths 51A and 51B respectively have the ring-shape seal members 55 onthe tilting lower end sides thereof and the stoppers 56 on the tiltingupper end sides thereof.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the event that theadsorbing/desorbing device 2A (or 2B) functions as the adsorbing deviceX1, when the internal pressure of the adsorbing device X1 is lower thanthe internal pressure of the evaporator 31, the spherical damper 6 rollsto the tilting upper end side to open the evaporator-side communicationpath 51A. In the event that the adsorbing/desorbing device 2A (or 2B)functions as the desorbing device X2, when the internal pressure of thedesorbing device X2 is higher than the internal pressure of thecondenser 32, the spherical damper 6 rolls down to the tilting lower endside under its own weight to close the evaporator-side communicationpath 51A.

In the event that the adsorbing/desorbing device 2A (or 2B) functions asthe desorbing device X2, when the internal pressure of the desorbingdevice X2 is higher than the internal pressure of the condenser 32, thespherical damper 6 rolls to the tilting upper end side to open thecondenser-side communication path 51B. In the event that theadsorbing/desorbing device 2A (or 2B) functions as the adsorbing deviceX1, when the internal pressure of the adsorbing device X1 is lower thanthe internal pressure of the condenser 32, and the spherical damper 6thereby rolls down to the tilting lower end side under its own weight toclose the condenser-side communication path 51B.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the adsorption type refrigerator 1 maybe formed as a vertical adsorption type refrigerator 1 structured tohave the first and second adsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B disposedin a vertical direction at a predefined interval.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of the vertical adsorption typerefrigerator 1 operated in the state where the first adsorbing/desorbingdevice 2A functions as the adsorbing device X1 and the secondadsorbing/desorbing device 2B functions as the desorbing device X2,focusing on the adsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B and thecommunication paths 51A and 51B, and the region therearound. FIG. 8 is aschematic illustration of the vertical adsorption type refrigerator 1operated in the state where the first adsorbing/desorbing device 2Afunctions as the adsorbing device X1 and the second adsorbing/desorbingdevice 2B functions as the desorbing device X2, focusing on theadsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B and the communication paths 51Aand 51B, and the region therearound

The vertical adsorption type refrigerator 1 is equipped with theevaporator-side communication path formation member 58A for piping tothe evaporator 31 (see FIG. 7) and the condenser-side communication pathformation member 58B for piping to the condenser 32 (see FIG. 8) betweenupper end parts of the first and second adsorbing/desorbing devices 2Aand 2B.

The evaporator 31 is provided below the evaporator-side communicationpath formation member 58A between the first and secondadsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B, and the evaporator-sidecommunication paths 51A are respectively provided in portions where theevaporator-side communication path formation member 58A is connected tothe first and second adsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B. Theevaporator-side communication paths 51A are tilted downward fromhorizontal outer sides where the adsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2Bare located toward a horizontal center position where the evaporator 31is located.

The condenser 32 is provided above the condenser-side communication pathformation member 58B, and the condenser-side communication paths 51B arerespectively provided in portions where the condenser-side communicationpath formation member 58B is connected to the first and secondadsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B. The condenser-side communicationpaths 51B are tilted downward from the horizontal center position wherethe condenser 32 is located toward the horizontal outer sides where theadsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B are located.

The spherical dampers 6 placed in the communication paths 51A and 51Bopen and close the communication paths 51A and 51B as described belowfor operation of the adsorption type refrigerator 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first adsorbing/desorbing device 2Afunctions as the adsorbing device X1 when the cooling water C issupplied to the heat transfer pipe 21 in the first adsorbing/desorbingdevice 2A. In this case, the solid adsorbent 211 applied to the surfaceof the heat transfer pipe 21 provided in the first adsorbing/desorbingdevice 2A is cooled down, and the refrigerant vapor A is adsorbed to thesolid adsorbent 211 by adsorption reaction. Then, the internal pressureof the first adsorbing/desorbing device 2A reduces to a pressure levellower than the internal pressures of the evaporator 31 and the condenser32.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the first adsorbing/desorbing device 2Afunctioning as the adsorbing device X1, a spherical damper 6A disposedin the evaporator-side communication path 51A is subjected to a pressuredifference resulting from the internal pressure of the firstadsorbing/desorbing device 2A lower than the internal pressure of theevaporator 31 and disengages itself from the ring-shape seal member 55,and then rolls to the tilting upper end side of the evaporator-sidecommunication path 51A (moves away from the evaporator 31 toward theadsorbing device X1). As a result, the evaporator-side communicationpath 51A is opened.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the refrigerant vapor A in theevaporator 31 flowing into the first adsorbing/desorbing device 2Aremoves heat of evaporation from the surface of the evaporator pipe 311in the evaporator 31. As a result, the cold water W in the evaporatorpipe 311 can be cooled down.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the first adsorbing/desorbing device 2Afunctioning as the adsorbing device X1, a spherical damper 6B placed inthe condenser-side communication path 51B rolls down to the tiltinglower end side of the condenser-side communication path 51B (moves awayfrom the condenser 32 toward the adsorbing device X1) under its ownweight. The spherical damper 6B keeps rolling to finally seal the innercircumference of the ring-shape seal member 55, thus closing thecondenser-side communication path 51B. The closed state of thecommunication path can be retained by the pressure difference resultingfrom the internal pressure of the first adsorbing/desorbing device 2Alower than the internal pressure of the condenser 32.

As described above, the spherical dampers 6A and 6B are allowed to openthe evaporator-side communication paths 51A communicating with theevaporator 31 in the first adsorbing/desorbing device 2A functioning asthe adsorbing device X1, while closing the condenser-side communicationpaths 51B communicating with the condenser 32.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, when the cooling water C is supplied to theheat transfer pipe 21 in the first adsorbing/desorbing device 2A, thewarm water H is supplied to the heat transfer pipe 21 in the secondadsorbing/desorbing device 2B. The second adsorbing/desorbing device 2Bsupplied with the warm water H in the heat transfer pipe 21 thereinfunctions as the desorbing device X2. The solid adsorbent 211 applied tothe surface of the heat transfer pipe 21 in the secondadsorbing/desorbing device 2B is heated, and the refrigerant vapor A isdesorbed from the solid adsorbent 211 by desorption reaction. Then, theinternal pressure of the second adsorbing/desorbing device 2B iselevated to a pressure level higher than the internal pressures of theevaporator 31 and the condenser 32.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the second adsorbing/desorbing device 2Bfunctioning as the desorbing device X2, a spherical damper 6D placed inthe condenser-side communication path 51B is subjected to a pressuredifference resulting from the internal pressure of the desorbing deviceX2 higher than the internal pressure of the condenser 32 and disengagesitself from the ring-shape seal member 55, and then rolls to the tiltingupper end side of the condenser-side communication path 51B (moves awayfrom the desorbing device X2 toward the condenser 32). As a result, thecondenser-side communication path 51B is opened.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the refrigerant vapor A in the secondadsorbing/desorbing device 2B flowing into the condenser 32 is condensedby the cooling water C circulating through the condenser pipe 321 in thecondenser 32. The condensed refrigerant vapor A is circulated into theevaporator 31 through the circulation pipe 36.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the second adsorbing/desorbing device 2Bfunctioning as the desorbing device X2, a spherical damper 6C placed inthe evaporator-side communication path 51A rolls down to the tiltinglower end side of the evaporator-side communication path 51A (moves awayfrom the desorbing device X2 toward the evaporator 31) under its ownweight. The spherical damper 6C keeps rolling to finally seal the innercircumference of the ring-shape seal member 55, thus closing theevaporator-side communication path 51A. The closed state of thecommunication path can be retained by the pressure difference resultingfrom the internal pressure of the second adsorbing/desorbing device 2Bhigher than the internal pressure of the evaporator 31.

As described above, the spherical dampers 6C and 6D ensure to open theevaporator-side communication paths 51A communicating with the condenser32 in the second adsorbing/desorbing device 2B functioning as thedesorbing device X2, while closing the condenser-side communicationpaths 51B communicating with the evaporator 31.

When the adsorbing/desorbing device 2A (or 2B) currently functioning asthe desorbing device X2 is switched to function as the adsorbing deviceX1, the currently high internal pressure of the adsorbing/desorbingdevice 2A (or 2B) changes to a low pressure level. When theadsorbing/desorbing device 2A (or 2B) currently functioning as theadsorbing device X1 is switched to function as the desorbing device X2,the currently low internal pressure of the adsorbing/desorbing device 2A(or 2B) changes to a high pressure level. The spherical dampers 6 placedin the respective communication paths 51A and 51B move while rolling inthe process of those pressure changes. Depending on the speed of changein the pressure difference executed to the spherical damper andself-weight, there may be the case that the spherical damper 6 slidablymoves.

The spherical damper 6 is thought to move mostly while rolling under itsown weight from the tilting upper end side to the tilting lower end sidethrough the internal pressure variability of the adsorbing/desorbingdevice 2A, 2B when the adsorbing/desorbing device 2A, 2B is switched toand from the adsorbing device X1 and the desorbing device X2 in turn.

Because of the stopper 56 provided on the tiling upper end side of thecommunication path 51A or 51B, the spherical damper 6 moving to thetilting upper end side under the pressure difference is prevented fromfalling out of the communication path 51A or 51B.

Thereafter, when an amount of the refrigerant vapor A adsorbed to thesolid adsorbent 211 in the first adsorbing/desorbing device 2Afunctioning as the adsorbing device X1 is approaching a saturationamount, two selector valve devices 46A and 46B are manipulated asillustrated in FIG. 2 to circulate the warm water H in the heat transferpipe 21 in the first adsorbing/desorbing device 2A and circulate thecooling water C in the heat transfer pipe 21 in the secondadsorbing/desorbing device 2B. Then, the first adsorbing/desorbingdevice 2A is switched to the desorbing device X2, and the secondadsorbing/desorbing device 2B is switched to the adsorbing device X1.Accordingly, the second adsorbing/desorbing device 2B functions as theadsorbing device X1, and the first adsorbing/desorbing device 2Afunctions as the desorbing device X2 as described as above.

When the first adsorbing/desorbing device 2A functions as the desorbingdevice X2, and the second adsorbing/desorbing device 2B functions as theadsorbing device X1 (see FIG. 4), an operation for opening and closingthe communication paths 51A and 51B using the spherical dampers 6 issimilar to the operation described referring to FIG. 3.

Thereafter, the cooling water C and the warm water H to be circulated inthe heat transfer pipe 21 of the first adsorbing/desorbing device 2A andthe heat transfer pipe 21 in the second adsorbing/desorbing device 2Bare changed in turn. Accordingly, two adsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and2B are switchably used as the adsorbing device X1 and the desorbingdevice X2 in turn at given time intervals, so that the cold water Wgenerated in the evaporator pipe 311 is continuously supplied to therefrigerating device 45.

As described above, the spherical dampers 6 can open the communicationpaths 51A and 51B using the pressure differences generated between theadsorbing/desorbing device 2A (or 2B) functioning as the adsorbingdevice X1 and the evaporator 31, and between the adsorbing/desorbingdevice 2B (or 2A) functioning as the desorbing device X2 and thecondenser 32. Further, the spherical dampers 6 can close thecommunication paths 51A and 51B under their own weights. Therefore, itis unnecessary to separately provide any drive source to drive thespherical dampers 6.

The dampers 6 formed in such a simple spherical shape can be easilyproduced and reduced in weight.

The spherical damper 6 is thought to move through the communication path51A or 51B while swinging and sliding under the impact from the flowingrefrigerant vapor A because of its spherical shape. Therefore, thespherical damper 6 can suitably change its direction when sealing thering-shape seal member 55. This directional flexibility can prevent acertain part of the spherical damper 6 from being repeatedly in contactwith the ring-shape seal member 55 and worn out, thus improving thedurability of the spherical damper 6.

Because of the spherical shape of the damper 6, it is very unlikely thatthe refrigerant vapor A accumulates thereon to increase the weight ofthe damper 6. Therefore, the pressure differences between theadsorbing/desorbing devices 2A and 2B and the evaporator 31 and thecondenser 32 can be suitably maintained, and the communication paths 51Aand 51B can be reliably opened and closed by the spherical dampers 6.The pressure differences which induce the movements of the sphericaldampers 6 can be arbitrarily adjusted by changing the masses of thespherical dampers 6 or the tilting angles of the communication paths 51Aand 51B.

According to the damper structure 5 of the adsorption type refrigerator1 of the embodiment, the dampers 34 can be reduced in weight andimproved in durability, and the dampers are configured to stably openand close the communication paths 51A and 51B by leveraging the pressuredifferences suitably generated between the adsorbing/desorbing devices2A and 2B and the evaporator 31 and the condenser 32.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 adsorption type refrigerator-   2A, 2B adsorbing/desorbing device-   21 heat transfer pipe-   211 solid adsorbent-   31 evaporator-   311 evaporator pipe-   32 condenser-   321 condenser pipe-   5 damper structure-   51A evaporator-side communication path-   51B condenser-side communication path-   56 ring-shape seal member-   57 stopper-   57 fit-in preventing stopper-   6 spherical damper-   X1 adsorbing device-   X2 desorbing device

1. A damper structure for an adsorption type refrigerator which isprovided with a plurality of adsorbing/desorbing devices each having aheat transfer pipe inserted therethrough, a surface of which is appliedwith a solid adsorbent, an evaporator configured to communicate with theplurality of adsorbing/desorbing devices individually, and a condenserconfigured to communicate with the plurality of adsorbing/desorbingdevices individually, and is operated by switching between theadsorbing/desorbing device functioning as an adsorbing device bycirculating a cooling water in the heat transfer pipe and theadsorbing/desorbing device functioning as a desorbing device bycirculating a warm water in the heat transfer pipe at given timeintervals, the damper structure comprising: evaporator-sidecommunication paths formed between the adsorbing/desorbing devices andthe evaporator with a tilt, having a side communicating with theevaporator lower than a side communicating with the adsorbing/desorbingdevices, and the condenser-side communication paths formed between theadsorbing/desorbing devices and the condenser with a tilt, having a sidecommunicating with the condenser higher than a side communicating withthe adsorbing/desorbing devices; a spherical damper movably placed ineach of the communication paths as the evaporator-side communicationpath and the condenser-side communication path; a ring-shape seal memberprovided on a tilting lower end side of the communication path in a pathformation direction, which has an inner circumference sealed by thespherical damper; and a stopper provided on a tilting upper end side ofthe communication path in the path formation direction, which preventsthe spherical damper from falling out of the communication path.
 2. Thedamper structure for the adsorption type refrigerator according to claim1, wherein in the evaporator-side communication path, when the internalpressure of the adsorbing/desorbing device functioning as the adsorbingdevice becomes lower than the internal pressure of the evaporator, thespherical damper moves to the tilting upper end side to open theevaporator-side communication path, and when the internal pressure ofthe adsorbing/desorbing device becomes higher than the internal pressureof the evaporator, the spherical damper moves to the tilting lower endside under its own weight to close the evaporator-side communicationpath; and in the condenser-side communication path, when the internalpressure of the adsorbing/desorbing device functioning as the desorbingdevice becomes higher than the internal pressure of the condenser, thespherical damper moves to the tilting upper end side to open thecondenser-side communication path, and when the internal pressure of theadsorbing/desorbing device becomes lower than the internal pressure ofthe condenser, the spherical damper moves under its own weight to thetilting lower end side to close the condenser-side communication path.3. The damper structure for the adsorption type refrigerator accordingto claim 1, wherein the spherical damper is made from a resin, and thering-shape seal member is a rubber packing material.
 4. The damperstructure for the adsorption type refrigerator according to claim 1,wherein the tilting lower end side of the communication path is providedwith a stopper for preventing the spherical damper from immovablyfitting in the ring-shape seal member.
 5. The damper structure for theadsorption type refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the sphericaldamper is made from a resin, and the ring-shape seal member is a rubberpacking material.
 6. The damper structure for the adsorption typerefrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the tilting lower end side ofthe communication path is provided with a stopper for preventing thespherical damper from immovably fitting in the ring-shape seal member.7. The damper structure for the adsorption type refrigerator accordingto claim 3, wherein the tilting lower end side of the communication pathis provided with a stopper for preventing the spherical damper fromimmovably fitting in the ring-shape seal member.